Willy Bermello, the Cuban-American founder of Bermello Ajamil & Partners, is the mastermind behind the proposed design for Donald Trump’s future Presidential Library in Miami. The project, featuring a 1,047-foot tall obelisk adjacent to the historic Freedom Tower, is already entangled in legal battles and political controversy.
As reported by Telemundo 51, Bermello arrived from Cuba at the tender age of nine, with just five dollars in his pocket, and passed through the Freedom Tower upon reaching the United States. Over six decades later, the very same landmark stands as a cornerstone for what he considers the most significant project of his career.
A Symbolic Structure
The design envisions a 47-story tower, a symbolic nod to Trump being the 47th President of the United States. The project is set to rise on a 2.6-acre plot in downtown Miami, near the Freedom Tower, a site granted to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation for a nominal fee of $10, despite its estimated value of around $67 million.
“I envision it as an obelisk, much like when you arrive in Paris,” Bermello remarked when describing the project’s model. The architect did not receive the commission through an official invitation or tender. “This was my own initiative,” he explained.
A Personal Vision
After reading about development permits in Trump Doral and spotting the name of Cuban-American attorney Félix Lasarte, tasked with scouting library locations, Bermello leveraged mutual contacts to secure a meeting and pitched his design independently.
“I’m a dreamer, a hunter. I don’t wait for clients to come to me; I pursue them,” he stated. This path eventually led him to the Oval Office. Trump's team made two specific requests: incorporate an Air Force One into the project and add more golden elements.
“I know the president has a fondness for gold, though it’s not necessarily my personal taste,” Bermello joked. The plan includes dismantling the aircraft, transporting it in parts, and reassembling it inside the building. The design also features a replica Oval Office, exhibits of Marine One, the presidential limousine known as “The Beast,” and a theater for presidential lectures and debates.
Defending the Proposal
Trump posed a direct question to Bermello: “Why should I accept a three-acre property in Downtown Miami when I’ve been offered 30 acres in Boca Raton?” Bermello’s response was clear: “Wherever you build your library, people will come. But here, near the Freedom Tower, Bayside, and the Port of Miami, you’ll attract more visitors than any other presidential library in the country.”
For Bermello, the project carries personal significance beyond architecture. The design includes plans to transform 6th Street into a pedestrian corridor, creating a physical and symbolic link between the two buildings. “The tower is the museum of Cuban exile. The library would be the museum of Trump’s legacy,” he explained.
The initiative faces strong opposition. In May 2026, Miami residents filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the land grant violates the domestic emoluments clause of the Constitution by providing a financial benefit to a sitting president.
Critics also point out that the project involves hotel, office, and commercial components, diverging from the traditional presidential library model. Bermello dismisses these criticisms. “It has nothing to do with the Freedom Tower. It’s about Donald J. Trump,” he stated, assuring that the construction will be entirely funded by private sources.
“Especially for young people, this story illustrates the power of an idea and the importance of never stopping dreaming,” the architect concluded.
Key Questions about the Trump Presidential Library Project
What is the symbolic significance of the 47-story design?
The 47-story design symbolizes Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
Why is the project controversial?
The project is controversial due to legal battles over the land grant's compliance with constitutional provisions and its deviation from traditional presidential library models.
How will Air Force One be incorporated into the library?
The plan includes dismantling Air Force One, transporting it in parts, and reassembling it inside the library building.